MaryP

I had work done there once, and really liked it. The boat was only there for a couple of weeks though.

OK, a word in my defense! Not all cyclists behave like this, I don't! If you are in a rush, the roads are much quicker than the towpath, although admittedly I'm not there at rush hour times. Also, there are already many chicanes on this towpath, from Camden all the way to Hackney. Few more won't hurt, but there are also speed humps most of the way along by bridges too. These things probably make the inconsiderate ones go faster between the obstacles to make up the time! Ringing of bells is asked for, and at a blind spot like a bridge hole, it's the right thing to do. It's also the right thing to do to stop and make way. I do, and so do many other cyclists I've seen! We're not all bad, like not all dog owners leave dog mess. Please don't over generalise.......

Sounds good! Of course, the V bottom means that when boats pass at any speed, pins pull out, so chains and piling are best...

I think so, at least I've never had anyone tell me to slow down, but always get cheery waves. Also, the V bottom on the boat allows it to go into quite shallow water. I can usually moor up where others have trouble, and for instance went up the Severn a long way past the point where navigation was 'possible'. Again, watching the boats ahead, I don't think they get pushed about, but that's much harder to judge!

Just remembered another I didn't like - "Widow Maker".

I was thinking about "Wet Dream" too! My favourite is "Bob in a boat" Bobbing about if said in the right accent....

I was cycling recently, and came across a long pound on the Regent's Canal which was mostly mud. I phoned and reported it and at the end of the call, the lady said thanks Mary. I don't think I gave her my name.... Perhaps I phone them too often!

And so to be even more picky - You are correct on the theory David, but they are on the spelling of melodeon...... A melodian is one of those little keyboards you blow into.

Thanks. The thief must have thought they'd left it long enough...

The walkers all want to see boats, so those visitors may also be deterred. They're always waving, taking photos and asking questions. Foxton was very quiet last time I came through, but Stoke Bruerne was busy.

Just looked at the photos I took last year, and there were boats moored all along that section (although not solidly), so no I don't think they were moved on. I was cycling past, and took some pics on my phone.

As far as I understand, it wasn't a paid event, so no money for clear up. It just wasn't thought through.

Last year, although it looked like fun on the day for the inflatable cruisers, the canal in Hackney looked like a fly tipping site for about a fortnight afterwards. All the rubbish - and this ranged from cans and plastic bottles, broken glass bottles, paddles, deflated inflatables including boats and 'sculptures', discarded food and packaging, vomit - (I'm sure you can imagine the mess) - was left behind by the partygoers. A nightmare for dog walkers, cyclists, boaters and anyone else who wanted to use the canal and towpath. It was all in the water as well as on the path. The organisers had tried in vain to call it off, ad of course they weren't around for the clear up. On balance, I think it's better that it didn't go ahead.

My lamp isn't very powerful, so I always have it angled towards the ceiling. It saves it shining in other people's eyes, and as I'm not tall, couldn't see the water close to the boat anyway.... I always wear a head torch so I can see the stalactite or rock formations, and in turn the tunnel height. However, not being tall I don't have to duck!

D is why I take mine away. I have in the past had the boat broken into, but it was just where I left it when I got back!

Yes it is! How did you guess? When I asked the lady why, she lowered her tone as if speaking about someone with a terminal illness and said "it's because what she is". There are cheaper quotes elsewhere, but of course they too want a survey as a new customer....

Saga say they won't insure me again until the boat has had a full out of water survey as the boat is 25 this year. Costly! Even tough it has a current BSS which has 3 years still to run. That's not good enough apparently..... So just a hull survey won't do.

My daughter and I met one of the people mentioned at the top recently, and gave a 'donation' at the end - he did save us about an hour. However, this was exactly what we thought after the event. We were told that our 'donation' wasn't quite enough, but it was OK 'cos he'd enjoyed our company. He was polite, helpful and informative, but we both felt we were glad not to be single handed that day!

There's lots of towpath mooring which I found safe in the past a little further north. Near Wolesley Bridge quite a few boats stop off, so there may be others to keep an eye for you, or further on again overlooking Shugburgh Hall again quite a lot of boats around there. I hope this helps, Mary

There have been a couple of break ins at Braunston, and the CR&T chap said more over towards Coventry too. Don't forget to report it. He also said it was unusual, but obviously something that a little gang have latched onto. One of the boats at Braunston, like you, had the whole boat rifled through. I hope things improve!

Thanks Matty for the tip off! I was there on Saturday, and got a few good bits - still loads left, but mostly huge ones now.

Yes, I also lost a shower mixer, and the diaphragm in the pump, and some damage to the Morco fins - it was -16 degrees, and my boat up on a trestle awaiting blacking..... I now turn off the stopcock, open the taps with the pump on to push all the water out of the Morco, taps etc, then switch off the pump leaving the taps open.

On the Leicester section yesterday, I saw a small wooden tender, but the superstructure!!! It was a small hen house, complete with hens clucking happily. They were in the base of the tender, and the hen house above them. The hen house also had it's own small solar panel. Wish I'd taken a photo, but my camera was out of reach!

I went to both Both very different, and both utterly fascinating!